Coming Clean 2: Monaghan and Iraq
The New York Monaghan Association has issued a strong statement of support for the US military campaign against Iraq. This is despite being unable to carry their usual banner in the New York St Patricks Day Parade because of similarities between an outline map of Monaghan and Iraq.
"We welcome the start of the military campaign against Iraq. The world cannot stand idly by anymore when innocent people are killed by their leaders. Bringing democracy to Iraq will allow the Iraqi people to achieve their full potential and lead free lives" said the Association PRO John McKenna, originally of Emyvale Co. Monaghan.
"It came as quite a surprise to us that Monaghan and Iraq had basically the same outline shape. We had been receiving some jeers and comments as we assembled for the parade in New York and we couldn't understand why. Until someone from the Louth Association pointed out the similarity. So for the sake of being able to walk 5th Avenue in peace, we had to carry a simple blue and white banner instead or our ornate traditional banner"
"The traditional banner was created in Monaghan some years ago and includes an outline of the county with the Monaghan coat of arms, flanked by St Patrick and St Macartan. St Macartan is the local patron saint in Monaghan. Hopefully the conflict will be over so we can carry the traditional banner next year."
"Although there are some serving members of the armed forces of Monaghan descent, We'd like to take this opportunity to wish all Americans serving in the armed forces a safe return home" added McKenna.
The Irish Independent confirmed its position as the leading journalism led paper it the country by sussing it as a joke. (We think)
The BBC bought it so did The Irish Voice andThe Irish Echo
Even the techie press was interested. Once The Register published it, it was taken as fact by many sources:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/29855.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/29864.html
And the Northern Standard in Monaghan was a little upset
Posted by Paul Clerkin at August 1, 2003 09:13 AM | Email a friend this entry
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a poster campaign of 'Free The Busaras One' detailing the UL exploits would be great. Huge great red HOAX stamps on them and plastered around a few locations in town.
Posted by: ro_G at August 1, 2003 04:20 PM